The Combined PGY1 Residency & Practice Advancement Fellowship (previously known as the Pharmaceutical Care Leadership Residency) is a 2-year experience established in 1999 as part of the UMN PGY1 Residency Program. It was designed to fill a gap in pharmacy training. At the time, ambulatory care residency programs focused on clinical skills but did not intentionally develop the leadership skills required to start, implement, and sustain ambulatory care services.
The program model was designed to:
- Develop excellent clinical skills in Year 1.
- Provide an understanding of practice management systems.
- Offer hands-on experience starting a new practice in a setting that had not previously had a pharmacist providing comprehensive medication management.
This design provided residents with wide-ranging skills and launched new practices across the Twin Cities metro, contributing to the rich ambulatory care environment in Minnesota today.
Program Evolution
After 25 years, the environment has evolved, and the program has evolved with it. Two key changes have been made:
- New Structure: Due to changes in PGY1 requirements, the program is now a PGY1 residency (Year 1) followed by a Practice Advancement Fellowship (Year 2). Though it remains a 2-year experience with learning objectives spanning both years, participants now receive their PGY1 certificate after Year 1.
- New Fellowship Focus: As ambulatory care services have become more widespread in Minnesota, the Year 2 focus is no longer on initiating a new practice. Instead, fellows practice two days per week as independent practitioners within an established clinic. This provides experience within a mature, institution-level practice management system. The fellowship also offers greater flexibility, project-based learning focused on the sustainability of ambulatory care services locally and nationally, customized to the fellow’s interests.
Core Elements Remain
While changes have occurred, core elements of the program remain.
- Residents and fellows continue to develop teaching skills by contributing to multiple courses and other learning experiences.
- Fellows participate in advocacy efforts with the Minnesota Pharmacy Alliance.
- Importantly, similar to the vision 25 years ago, the program prepares graduates for a wide variety of career paths associated with ambulatory care pharmacy.